Electrical switch having integral operating member and body

ABSTRACT

An electrical switch includes a body carrying fixed contacts. A movable contact is engageable with the fixed contacts, and an operating member is movable relative to the body to move the movable contact. The operating member and the body are molded integrally with one another, and are interconnected by a flexible neck integral with the body and the operating member, the neck permitting the relative movement between the body and the operating member when the operating member is moved to operate the movable contact.

United States Patent OPERATING MEMBER AND new I Claim, 3 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl.

Int. Cl Field ol Search Primary Examiner-H. 0. Jones A ttorm'ys Holman.Stern ABSTRACT: An electrical switch includes a body carrying fixedcontacts. A movable contact is engageable with the fixed contacts, andan operating member is movable relative to the body to move the movablecontact. The operating member 200/168 C, and the body are moldedintegrally with one another, and are 200/172 R interconnected by aflexible neck integral with the body and I-I01h 9/02 the operatingmember, the neck permitting the relative move- 200/168 C, ment betweenthe body and the operating member when the I72 operating member is movedto operate the movable contact.

PATENTED AUG 387i 3,597,564

INVENTO? AfTOENEYS ELECTRICAL SWITCH HAVING INTEGRAL OPERATING MEMBERAND BODY This invention relates to electrical switches of the kindcomprising a body. fixed contacts carried by the body. a movable contactengageable with the fixed contacts, and an operating member movablerelative to the body to move the movable contact.

According to the invention, in a switch ofthe kind specified the bodyand the operating member are molded integrally with one another and areinterconnected by a flexible, integral portion which permits saidrelative movement between the body and the operating member.

One example of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawingswherein:

FIG. I is a sectional view of the body and operating member ofa switchprior to the assembly of the switch,

FIG. 2 is a view in the direction of arrow A in FIG. I, and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view ofthe assembled switch.

Referring to the drawings, the switch includes a hollow cylindrical body11 which is molded in synthetic resin material, and which is closed atone end by an integral base 12. The switch further includes an operatingmember 13 which is molded integrally with the body 11, and which isconnected to the body II by an integral. flexible neck 14. extendingfrom the end of the body ll remote from the base 12. At its end remotefrom the base 12. the body II is formed with an integral, outwardlyextending flange l which defines with the body II a downwardly presentedshoulder 16. The surface of the flange l5 remote from the base I1 is cutaway to define a peripherally extending ramp surface l7.

The operating member 13 is in the shape of a cylindrical cup, the innerdiameter of which is substantially equal to the outer diameter of theflange 15. The periphery of the open end of the member 13 is formed withan integral. inwardly directed peripheral flange [8 which defines withthe inner wall of the member 13. an inwardly presented shoulder 19. Thebase of the flange l8 opposite the shoulder 19 is cut away to define aramp surface 2!.

Extending through the base 12 of the body 1]. parallel to the axis ofthe body 11. are a pair of spaced, conductive, terminal strips 22. 23respectively. Each of the strips 22. 23 includes a pair of shoulders(not shown) which engage the inner surface of the base 12. and aresilient tag 220, 230 respectively which engages the outer surface ofthe base 12 to lock the terminal strips 22. 23 in position. Within thebody I], the strips 22. 23 engage respective walls 24. 25 integral withthe base 12. the walls 24, 25 serving to support the strips 22. 23 inspaced parallel relationship. Within the body I] the strips 22. 23 areformed with respective. rectangular holes 26, 27 through which aconductive roller 28 extends. The width of the holes 26. 27 is greaterthan the diameter of the roller 28. and the ends of the roller 28 areengaged in respective channels 29.31 in the wall of the body ll. thechannels 29, 31 serving to guide the roller 28 for axial movement withthe roller 28 out of contact with the sides of the holes 26. 27. Thewalls 24.

25 extend beyond the lower edges of the holes 26. 27. and so prevent theroller 28 engaging the lower sides of the holes 26. 27. Thus. the roller28 can only engage the upper sides of the holes 26. 27 to complete anelectrical circuit between the strips 22. 23. The portions of the strips22. 23 projecting from the outer surface of the base l2 are shaped todefine blade connectors. and a compression spring 32 extends between theblade 12 and the roller 28. and urges the roller 28 upwardly. intocontact with the upper walls of the holes 26, 27 so as to complete anelectrical circuit between the strips 22, 23.

In order to assemble the switch. the strips 22. 23. which constitute thefixed contacts of the switch. the roller 28 which constitutes themovable contact of the switch. and the spring 32 are engaged with thebody II, and the operating member 13 is positioned with respect to thebody ll, so that the ramp surface 21 of the o eratingrmember 13 engagesthe ramp surface 17 of the body ll. he operating member 13 B then movedtowards the base 12, so that the ramp surfaces 2t, 17 slide relative toone another and the operating member 13 is engaged as a snap fit withthe body 11, the shoulder 19 of the operating member 13 engaging theshoulder 16 of the body 11. The operating member 13 is formed with anintegral. axially extending spigot 33 which, when the operating member13 is engaged with the body ll. engages the roller 28.

The switch is a normally closed switch. and is urged to its nonnallyclosed position by the spring 32. and by the resilience of the neck 14interconnecting the body II and the operating member 13. ln the closedposition of the switch the roller 28 bridges the terminal strips 22, 23.and the shoulder 19 is engaged with the shoulder 16. In order to openthe switch. the operating member 13 is depressed towards the base 12against the action of the neck 14, and the spring 32, to move the roller28 out of contact with the strips 22. 23. the flange l5 riding on theinner surface of the operating member 13. to guide the operating member13 during such axial movement.

In one practical embodiment of the switch, the switch is connected inthe brake light circuit of a road vehicle. so that the brake lights ofthe road vehicle are energized in the closed position of the switch. Theswitch is mounted adjacent the brake pedal of the road vehicle. so thatthe operating member 13 is depressed by the brake pedal of the vehiclewhen the brake pedal is in its inoperative position. Thus. when thebrake pedal of the vehicle is operated. the operating member 13 isreleased and the switch is closed under the action of the spring 32 toenergize the brake lights.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

I. An electrical switch comprising a body. fixed contacts carried by thebody. a movable contact engageable with the fixed contacts. and anoperating member movable relative to the body to move the movablecontact. the body and the operating member being molded integrally withone another, and being interconnected by a flexible. integral portionwhich permits said relative movement between the body and the operatingmember to move the movable contact.

1. An electrical switch comprising a body, fixed contacts carried by thebody, a movable contact engageable with the fixed contacts, and anoperating member movable relative to the body to move the movablecontact, the body and the operating member being molded integrally withone another, and being interconnected by a flexible, integral portionwhich permits said relative movement between the body and the operatingmember to move the movable contact.